Senior Bailey Lee leads Red Bank Lady Lions into Chatt-Town Classic

Red Bank's Bailey Lee tries to block a shot by Signal Mountain's Olivia Koontz during the TSSAA District 6-AA tournament title game at Red Bank on Feb. 19. / Staff photo by Robin Rudd
Red Bank's Bailey Lee tries to block a shot by Signal Mountain's Olivia Koontz during the TSSAA District 6-AA tournament title game at Red Bank on Feb. 19. / Staff photo by Robin Rudd

One of the most dominant post players in Red Bank High School girls' basketball history, senior Bailey Lee is focused on helping her team leave a lasting mark.

Lee has averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. She scored her 1,000th career point on Jan. 8, 2019, and hit the same total in rebounds in a victory at Notre Dame three games into what looks to be a promising final season. Her career highs are 26 points and 23 rebounds.

The Lady Lions are 10-2 overall and will play Northwest Whitfield in the Chatt-Town Classic at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Chattanooga State, where 16 games are scheduled over two days, with four boys' games and four girls' games each day on Friday and Saturday.

Chatt-Town Classic at Chattanooga State

Friday’s games› Brainerd girls vs. Grace Academy, 10 a.m.› Chattooga girls vs. Central, 11:30 a.m.› Tyner girls vs. Rhea County, 1› Red Bank girls vs. Northwest Whitfield, 2:30› Soddy-Daisy boys vs. Sale Creek, 4› Grace boys vs. Sequatchie County, 5:30› Northwest Whitfield boys vs. Tyner, 7› Cleveland boys vs. Howard, 8:30Saturday’s games› Central girls vs. Grace Academy, 10 a.m.› Chattooga girls vs. Brainerd, 11:30 a.m.› Northwest Whitfield girls vs. Tyner, 1› Red Bank girls vs. Rhea County, 2:30› Grace Academy boys vs. Sale Creek, 4› Sequatchie boys vs. Soddy-Daisy, 5:30› Northwest Whitfield boys vs. Howard, 7› Cleveland boys vs. Tyner, 8:30

"This team has worked really hard to get to where we are at," the 6-foot-1 Lee said. "Watching some of the other players grow the last few years has been really amazing. We really want to make a statement this year and win a district championship."

Lee not only has filled out the stat sheet with her dominant presence in the paint, but her leadership for Red Bank has been impressive as well.

Coach Bailey McGinnis, who starred at Red Bank as a player, sees the same passion in Lee for the game and her high school that she remembers having on and off the court.

"She realizes the bigger picture already and is a coach's dream," McGinnis said. "She knows it's more than just being a scorer and a rebounder. She is trying to be a positive influence and get the most out of high school.

"Bailey takes being a leader to heart. There's been times in practice where we are not focused or not getting the job done, and she will ask me if she can talk to them for a second. She will take her teammates aside, and they will regroup. Everyone looks to her, and she is never negative. She really takes being that senior captain to heart, along with Shannon (Ledford)."

Lee also shows leadership through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the student council and the yearbook staff. Her biggest influence has been her mother, who always has taught her to be a strong presence in anything she takes on, Lee said.

"I always work hard and try to push people to be great," Lee said. "You are only as good as your weakest link, and I want all of my teammates to keep their heads up and stay focused. Knowing my coaches, teammates and other teams think of me as a leader is honestly an honor to me. I don't try to be that person for others to follow, but it makes me feel really good that I can help in that way."

photo Red Bank's Bailey Lee shoots in front of Signal Mountain's Olivia Koontz during a game on Jan. 28 at Signal Mountain. / Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter

One of Lee's most memorable moments was scoring her 1,000th point at Howard, where her late grandfather and her older brother both went to school.

From making the necessary sacrifices and putting in extra work behind closed doors, Lee hopes to be a steady guiding presence as the Lady Lions look to make noise deep into the 2019-20 season.

Red Bank is 52-17 since Lee arrived on campus as a sophomore but still seeks a district championship after losing the past two finals by a combined 12 points to Signal Mountain.

"Bailey has been a leader since she stepped on the floor for us," McGinnis said. "She is such a positive role model and makes a difference in so many ways. She is someone you can always depend on."

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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